Pima Medical Institute (PMI) -- fair warning

I am sharing my husband’s story as fair warning to anyone considering attending PMI (Pima Medical Institute) either as a nurse or in any of their other classes.

My husband made a mid-life career change in 2008 and wanted to get into the medical field. He didn’t know exactly what he wanted to do, so it took an expensive Medical Assistant course at PMI. He graduated top of his class, received much praise from all his instructors for his positive attitude and extra efforts to make everyone attending the classes love being there. He quickly landed a position at Cigna.

After working for approximately one year as an MA, he decided to further his education and wanted to pursue the nursing field. He was encouraged to take a 1-1/2 year long course schedule to build upon his MA and get an associates degree in Healthcare Management (which he was told would give him all the pre-reqs to apply for the nursing program at PMI). Again he graduated head of the class. Then went onto apply for the nursing program with a 97% on his HESI test. The counselors said he was the poster child of PMI.

Today he went for his final interview with the Nursing Director at Pima, Mesa. He got an angry instructor that had NOT read any of his file, she seemed ****** off she was even doing the interview. She talked DOWN to him about all his education being just from PIMA(the school she is teaching at) and said she didn’t see any other college transcripts in his file. She had no clue that he had been working in the medical field for 2+ years, and only seemed to focus on his MA course, not the additional course load to get his associates degree. Additionally, she was asking canned questions and seemed to have no interest in getting to know a possible wonderful student that would do great things – just doing the basics to get through the interview.

He was then told by the nurse instructor thatunfortunately his classes with Pima were not valid as prerequisites for Pima’s own Nursing Program - that Pima does not issue enough credit hours in those classes to make them acceptable as prereqs. ?!!?

Pima had encouraged my husband to take the HC associates, indicating it would be helpful to get him into the nursing program for 7k, while he could have just taken the pre reqs. they offer for 2.5k.

We feel cheated by Pima. For the last 3 years, my husband gave the best of himself to the school getting exceptionally good grades and paid their outrageous tuition … For what? For nothing that they say to sell these courses to future students.

I inquired about Medical Assisting at pima and was told the same thing about it helping you get into other programs, especially their nursing.

I sure am glad I took my courses at community college now. If pima pushing their programs with the nursing carrot, and not following through if you qualify, is evil.

Did you have to retake your pre-reqs?

Jun 19, '11

I thought it was only right to give an update.

Turns out the information the instructor/nurse gave my husband at his interview was completely incorrect and the incident has been labeled as a "miscommunication" His prerequisites already taken at PMI do qualify now - imagine that!

Also, my sharing his horror story has not "helped my husband" (whatever that means) but supposedly he is still on the list. I'm sorry, but his treatment was just WRONG! I personally hope ne does not get 'accepted' and he pursues the other opportunities he's now investigated - as they seem a little more caring institutions.

I just have to say .... If that instructor was a real nurse, the patient would be dead!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of her husband.

Jun 21, '11

Was it an instructor or an advisor? I can tell you, my instructors are REAL NURSES and have been for YEEEAAAAARRRRRSSSSS. In fact, you're not allowed to be an instructor unless you have a Masters in Nursing. I am really enjoying the school, but I didn't take any other courses through PMI. Or maybe it's that the Tucson campus is run a little differently? I'm half way finished with the program and couldn't be happier with it. (And I still have yet to get off of the wait list at the CC here...telling sign to me. I should finish up about the same time I would have started my RN classes there....)

Jul 8, '11

Instructors at Pima do not have to have masters degrees unless they are teaching a nursing class(NUR). For the most part instructors are emotionally abusive, rude, moody, hypocritical, and show no compassion what so ever. I would not recommend this program to anyone unless it is a last resort and you are ready to be abused for 2 years.

Sep 19, '11

Hey KristeyK, I have an interview for the nursing program at the Tucson Campus tomorrow. Do you have any tips for the interview?

Oct 16, '11

just wanted to let everyone know, im a july 2011 grad of the R.N. (assoc degree) program from PMI and i had to take 2 pre-reqs before being elegible for their nursing program......I too was an MA before getting in, I did have to pay for the additional pre-reqs but was offered a pay plan and this was the best decision i ever made. GO PMI !!

just wanted to let everyone know, im a july 2011 grad of the R.N. (assoc degree) program from PMI and i had to take 2 pre-reqs before being elegible for their nursing program......I too was an MA before getting in, I did have to pay for the additional pre-reqs but was offered a pay plan and this was the best decision i ever made. GO PMI !!

what are their pre-reqs? were they different than for the MCC programs?

Oct 18, '11

There were 3 pre-reqs: psych, A&P 201 and writing. I had taken some general ed classes @ PCC and i was able to apply the writing 101 credit towards the writing pre-req and only had to take the other 2 pre-reqs to get in. I too was an MA but for nursing A&P 101 is not sufficient.

Oct 31, '11

I'm a nursing student at Pima. All of my teachers are RNs and they all have at least BSN but most really have MAN or MSN degrees. I love the program and I really recommend the program. It is very challenging but we have a lot of help and support.

As for pre-reqs I had everything done that the CC require. I was just tired of the waiting list.

Mar 6, '12

Hi Kristey,

What is your school schedule like for the Nursing program at PMI? Do you know if PMI offers evening classes? Do you think I can work full time or part time while attending PMI?

What is your school schedule like for the Nursing program at PMI? Do you know if PMI offers evening classes? Do you think I can work full time or part time while attending PMI?

Thank you in advance! =)
-GC

The first semester is pretty intense, but do able once you get the hang of studying. The second semester you start clinicals and have class. There are a lot of tests, papers, projects ect., so I wouldn't recommend working (not in the second semester and beyond). There are a few people that work part time on the weekends in the programs, but they are exhausted.
As for night school, not at PMI. It's a full time program that you need to be available 5 days a week anytime because clinical scedules can change.

The first semester is pretty intense, but do able once you get the hang of studying. The second semester you start clinicals and have class. There are a lot of tests, papers, projects ect., so I wouldn't recommend working (not in the second semester and beyond). There are a few people that work part time on the weekends in the programs, but they are exhausted.
As for night school, not at PMI. It's a full time program that you need to be available 5 days a week anytime because clinical scedules can change.

Thank you so much for your reply! Did you take the Nursing program at PMI? If so, did you graduate already? Do they have a student loan program where I can pay after I graduate?